nest - research & development

nest R&D

Tori 'Lis' Miller, Technical Game Designer & Researcher

Hi! I'm a gameplay technical designer studying MSc Computer Games Design at Staffordshire University, England. My interests are in stylized games and psychological horror games, novel game mechanics, as well as creating engaging play in physical spaces via MR (Mixed Reality) technology.

My main focus within game development is in player mechanics (3Cs) and gameplay systems design, with an aim to create interesting and fresh gameplay experiences in popular genres, such as action-adventure games, platformers, and puzzlers. Core gameplay mechanics, AI design, combat and level/environmental design are secondary interests that I take the opportunity to develop skills in. My software specialties lie in Unity and Unreal Engine 5, though I have plenty of experience using art software such as Autodesk 3DS Max, Adobe CC and Substance Designer/Painter too.

My most recent major projects are the Open-World NPC Tool for Unreal Engine 5.2, and Transmission; a short horror experience developed in Unreal Engine 5. Myself and a small dedicated development team are working part-time on the project Into The Abyss. I am currently seeking in-office or remote games industry work within the UK or remotely in other regions.


First place 'Best Team' winner at Game Republic Showcase 2024. Sole developer and designer working with a team of talented artists.
Ongoing research & development project
Second place 'Masters Design' winner at Staffordshire University GradEx 2024. NPC creation tool for use in Unreal Engine 5.2.
Ongoing research & development project
Motion-controller framework and playable demo. For use with Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers. Requires Unity 2022 LTS or later.
Unity framework & demo project
Atmospheric horror adventure game, built in Unreal Engine 5.2.
Solo project
Third place 'Games Tech' winner at Game Republic Showcase 2023. Unity project using NFC via an Arduino game controller.
R&D project
Tap along to the beat and defeat your opponent in this 1v1 local multiplayer rhythm fighter!
Collaborative project
An updated version of ChristophGeske's Near-Field-Communication-NFC-For-Unity-Android repo, using Unity Engine 2021.3.5f1 (LTS).
Engine tool for Unity 2021 (LTS)
Fuzzy, co-operative, competitive! Avoid obstacles and act quick!
Collaborative project
Developments with Arduino as a game controller.
Blog post - July 31st, 2022
A collection of songs produced in 2021-2022.
Music release
Initial research into gamepad project.
Blog post - July 22nd, 2022
A short experiment with analog trigger input.
Experiment with analog for expressive control
Handwritten-inspired retro font for dialogue & UI.
Free-to-use typeface for use in RPG dialogue
img
Simple, endless sci-fi action.
2D Shooter Prototype made in Unity 
Bubs! Working together! Feeling together!
Puzzler built in 48 hours with Kapouett
A place high up, above chasms and trees.
Interactive poem in Twine
Compilation of instrumentals and snippets.
Music release
"You've been chosen."
Exploring datamining and porting from PS4 to PC
A collection of short instrumentals from 2017.
Music release
Small instrumental release, recorded throughout 2013-2014.
Music release